Airline COVID Vaccination Updates
We have researched airlines position on passenger and employee vaccination requirements for domestic and international travel. Out of the 34 airlines we researched, Qantas (international), Air Canada, Fiji Airways and Garuda are the only airlines that require the majority of travellers to be fully vaccinated. Most of the airlines are playing it safe, stating COVID vaccination status is determined by the travellers’ final destination.
Airline employee vaccination requirements vary between airlines. A number are taking a hard line insisting their frontline staff (check-in staff, cabin crew and pilots) are fully vaccinated. This position is being contested in a couple of cases so we will need to see how this plays out. A few airlines are taking a softer approach, leaving it to the employee to choose whether they get vaccinated. That said, these airlines have strategies in place to entice employees to get vaccinated, including financial incentives, better working conditions and less restrictions. It’s a mixed batch.
This guide was last updated on 27 September 2021 and any requests for amendments can be made through enquiries@nutrip.com.
Airline Name | Passenger Vaccination Requirements | Airline Employee Vaccination Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Air Canada | All international travellers must be fully vaccinated by 31 October 2021. link | All employees must be fully vaccinated by end 31 October 2021 |
Air France | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Travellers must be vaccinated 7 days prior to travel or have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Air France will not compel its staff to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. This remains an employee’s personal choice. |
Air India | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require front line staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Air New Zealand | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. International travellers must be fully vaccinated.. link | Vaccinations are not mandatory. However, the airline is encouraging staff to get vaccinated. |
All Nippon Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Vaccinations are not mandatory. However, the airline is encouraging staff to get vaccinated. |
American Airlines | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Vaccinations are not mandatory. However, the airline is encouraging staff to get vaccinated by restricting leave entitlements. All new hires must be fully vaccinated. |
British Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Vaccinations are not mandatory. However, the airline is encouraging staff to get vaccinated. |
Cathay Pacific | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must complete health declaration form prior to departure. link | Require front line staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Delta Airlines | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | From 21 September 2021, US employees not fully vaccinated will be required to take weekly COVID test. From 1 November 2021, unvaccinated employees will be subject to $200 monthly surcharge on their healthcare plan. |
Emirates | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. If travellers don't have the correct travel documents and required negative COVID-19 test certificate they will not be able to board their flight. link | Require front line staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Etihad Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. If travellers do not have the correct travel documents and required negative COVID-19 test certificate they will not be able to board their flight. link | Require front line staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Fiji Airways | Travellers must be fully vaccinated on domestic and international flights. link | Require front line staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Finnair | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Finnair doesn't require a COVID certificate on flights to Finland. Will deny boarding if traveller has COVID 19 symptoms. link | No information available. |
Garuda Airways | Must have a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to departure. Travellers must be fully vaccinated (exceptions apply). link | Require front line staff to be 100% vaccinated. All cabin crew required to have a negative COVID 19 test prior to work. |
Hawaiian Airways | Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. Travellers entering Hawaii required to complete safe travels form (online). link | Hawaiian Airlines employees must be fully vaccinated by 1 November 2021. |
Japan Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Travellers entering Japan (from overseas) must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Providing voluntary vaccinations for front line staff prioritising those working on international flights. |
Jetblue Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must follow CDC guidelines. link | Encourage all frontline staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19, and have set up vaccination sites at support centres at airports. |
Jetstar | No requirements. link | Frontline employees must be fully vaccinated by November, 15 2021. All other staff must be vaccinated by 31 March 2022. |
KLM | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | KLM will not compel its staff to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. This remains an employee’s personal choice. |
Korean Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | No information available |
Lufthansa | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Malaysia Airlines | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Qantas | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. International travellers must be fully vaccinated. link | Frontline employees must be fully vaccinated by November, 15 2021. All other staff must be vaccinated by 31 March 2022. |
Qatar Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | No available information. |
Regional Express | No requirements. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated by 1 November 2021. |
Ryanair | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. link | No information available. |
Scandinavian Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | No information available. |
Scoot Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require frontline staff to be 100% vaccinated by 1 December 2021. |
Singapore Airlines | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated by 1 September 2021. |
Swiss Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
United Airlines | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated. |
Vietnam Airways | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. Must complete Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority health declaration. link | Vaccinations are not mandatory but the airline is running a program to vaccinate frontline staff. |
Virgin Australia | No requirements. link | Requires all front line staff to be vaccinated by November, 15 2021 and office based workers by 31 March 2022. |
Westjet | COVID measures are determined by the travellers final destination. link | Require staff to be 100% vaccinated by 30 October 2021. |
